Tension-hinge



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(No Model.)

No. 496,802. Patented May 2,1893.

fue owns PETERS co., PHOTO-urne., WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. STIGGLEMAN, OF WABASl-I, INDIANA.

TENSION-HINGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,802, dated May 2, 1893.

Application led February 9, 1892. Serial No. 420,910. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

of the city of W'ab'ash, in the county of Wabash and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tension- Hinges; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, whichform part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tension hinges for furniture. v

The object of the invention is to produce a strong and durable hinge by providing in addition to the su pporting shoulders commonly employed a supplemental support so that the collision between the parts of the supplemental support will be simultaneous with the engagement of the supporting shoulders.

A further object of the invention is to pro- Vide a practical, durable and efficient tension seat hinge wherein all the noise occasioned by the collision of the stops and supports is positively obviated by an improved construction and arrangement of parts.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and in combinations of parts more fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in theclaims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1, and 2, are respectively perspective views of the hinge from opposite sides. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the hinge with the washer, spring plate, and cap removed. Fig. 4, is a detail elevat-ion of the washer showing the lugs and friction surfaces thereof. Fig. 5, is a detail perspective view of the seat support showing the hub thereof with the spurs or stops. Fig. 6, is a detail perspective View of the seat arm showing the journal box with its beveled lugs: Fig. 7, is a detail view of the washer showing the seat to receive the spring. Figs. 8, and 9, are respectively elevations of the spring and the spring cap. Fig. 10, is a cross section of the hinge taken in the planeof line X-X, Fig. 3. Fig. 1l is a sectional view similar to Fig. 10, but taken horizontally through the device showing the cams pressed. h

In the drawings reference letter a, indicates i in engagement and the spring washer com- Be it known that I, JAMES H. STIGGLEMAN,

the portion of a standard of an article of fur-;

niture termed the seat support.

b, indicates a seat arm. l

c, c', indicate the ordinary anterior supporting shoulders or stops of the seat support and seat arm, respectively, and d, d', indicate posterior supporting shoulders or stops of the seat support and seat arm respectively. Of course it is evident that when the seat arm is in its lower ordinary position stops c, c', engage, and when the seat is folded up the stops d, d', engage. These are the ordinary stops employed for this class of devices.

The inner side of the seat support is provided with inwardly projecting hub e, the inner face of the seat support around the hub being preferably concentrically convex.

Two pairs of diametrically opposite lugs or spursjf, and g, g, project from the periphery of the hub e, as shown in Figs. 3, and 5. Each adjacent pair of lugs f, and g, are located ashort distance apart, so that the spaces or recesses f ,are formed between them. The seat arm is provided with a circular opening or journal box in which said hub islocated so that the seat arm journal box embraces the same. The inner face of the annular journal box is slightly concaved soas to fit in the convexed portion ot' the seat support around said hub, and thereby relieve the pivot of strain. The outer face of the journal box and the seat arm are recessed annularly, as shown. The seat arm journal box h, is provided with two inwardly extending diametrically opposite lugs or stops t, which lugs are adapted to move with the seat arm respectively in the spaces j', between each pair o f lugs f, g. These stops or lugs f, f, g, g, and t, t, form a supplemental support in addition to the shoulders c, c', d, d', and are arranged to engage simultaneously with the engagement of said support shoulders. These lugs or spurs are so arranged that when the seat is located in its normal position, the lugs t', t', of the seat will engage and rest against lugs ff,` of the seat support, and when the seat is raised lugs t', t', will move through arc shaped spaces j', around the hub e, and will engage the other opposite set of lugs g, g, at the same IOO time the shoulders d, d', engage, thereby forminga double support which is most strong, and durable and the supporting strength of the hinge is greatly increased, making it absolutely impossible for the seat to sag.

The stopsorsupportinglugs,ofthe seat arm are provided wit-h the opposite beveled edges j,

extending across the circular annular recess Je, in the outer face of the journal box as clearly shown in Figs. 3, and 6. The yieldingly held tension washer l, fits loosely in the recess in the outer face of the journal box of the seat arm. This washer is rigidly held in position against turning by means of the two `inwardly extending lugs m,on its inner face, fitting in the recesses f', between `each pair of supporting lugs f, g. The inner face of this washer is also provided with the raised surfaces having the beveled edges n, rt/n', n', located over and so as to be near the ends of the spaces j', between supporting lugs f, g, and arranged to correspond with and engage the beveled edges j of the lugs t' of the seat arm journal box just previously to the engagement of the supporting lugs and stop shoulders. The outer face of this washer is dished preferably, and is provided with a seat for the fiat plate spring o. This spring seat consists of the raised spring supports p, on which the corners of the spring rest and the side lugs q, so placed as to hold and retain the spring plate substantially in place with its corners resting on the spring supports. The portion of the washer within these spring supports and lugs is concaved as shown. The spring plate o, is preferably highly tempered so as to form a strong spring. fr, is the spring plate cap havin g the convex central portion torest on and depress the spring plate,

vand in its outer side a suitable cavity s, for the reception and retention of the nutt. The parts described are centrally perforated and a pivot bolt u, is passed through the same, and is screwed into the nut t, so that the spring cap is drawn in sufficiently to slightly depress the spring plate, thereby holding the parts together gently yetiirmly, and allowing the free and easy motion of the seat arm. As the seat is folding or unfolding the beveled or inclined edges of the lugs fr', of the seat arm come in contact with the beveled or inclined ends n', of the raised surface of the washer forcing said washeraway against tension of the sprin g plate sufficiently to allow the several supports of the hinge to come together. These beveled edges engage just previously to the engagement of the rigid supports and shoulders, and the depression of the spring caused by this forcing away of the washer so restricts the niotion ot' the seat arm that the supports and shoulders of the hinge come together gently, obviating any harsh or hard impact and unpleasant noise or shock.

The locking lugs of the washer fit snuglyv in the cavity f', and prevent even the slightest rotary movement or turning ofthe washer and spring plate and cap, thus making a reliable nut lock, yet permitting the outward movement or yielding of the washer when the beveled edges come in contact.

The primeobject in the construction of this seat hinge is the permanent elimination of the noise occasioned by the collision of the stops and supports when the seat is folded or unfolded.

In my hinge the lugs having the beveled edges are located such a distance from the axis of the hinge, and the springis of such strength or size that all excessive noise of the seat folding or unfolding is avoided and the object in view is successfully attained.

When first madeA my hinge is bolted together sufficiently tight to slightly depress the steel spring. This secures a smooth and easy working of the bearing surfaces over each other, hence the friction is very slight and the hinge will wear a long time without needing readjustment; but when readjustment is necessary it is easily and quickly accomplished by one turn of the screw bolt, which restores the hinge to its former condition. f

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The hinge comprising one member having the hub provided with the radial external stops, sockets between said stops, the other member having the annular journal box surrounding said hub and provided with radial lugs to move between and engage said stops, the washer having lugs fitted in said sockets, the said radial lugs having beveled edges and said washer having raised surfaces provided with beveled edges to engage the same, a pivot bolt, and a lspring yieldingly forcing said washer to its seat, substantially as described.

2. The support having the hub provided with the radial stops, sockets between said stops, the seat arm having the annular journal box to engage said hub and provided with the radial stop lugs having beveled edges and arranged to move between and engage said stops, the washer having the lugs tting'into the sockets and raised surfaces provided with beveled edges to engage the beveled edges of the radial stop lugs, the outer face of said washer being recessed and having the spring seat, the plate spring on said seat, the spring cap on said washer, and the securing bolt and nut, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own invention Iafiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. STIGGLEMAN. Witnesses:

WARREN BIGLER, JAMES W. STEWART.

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